When a Historic Townhouse Becomes a Classroom: Hakuichi Introduces a Refined, Private Gold Leaf Experience in Kanazawa's Higashi Chaya District

KANAZAWA, Japan, Oct. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kanazawa Biyori, a local media platform dedicated to preserving and sharing the cultural identity of Kanazawa, presents a new initiative from Hakuichi, a long-established company known for its dedication to the city's iconic gold leaf tradition. The experience takes place in Kanazawa Shitsurae, a city-designated preserved machiya located in the Higashi Chaya District. Here, small private groups can engage in an authentic gold leaf workshop, following the same techniques and using the same tools as professional artisans.

Where Architectural Heritage and Artisanal Technique Intertwine

The machiya, with its mushiko-mado lattice windows and juraku earthen walls, is not merely a venue—it becomes an integral part of the learning experience. Participants are guided through traditional gold leaf decoration techniques, including sprinkling gold powder onto lacquered vessels using sunago-zutsu tubes. The process is hands-on and immersive, allowing guests to feel the craftsmanship with their own fingers.

A highlight of the program is the chance to observe the delicate process of haku-utsushi—transferring ultra-thin gold leaf—at close range. This moment captures the quiet intensity and rhythm of a craft that has been handed down for over 400 years, offering more than just observation—it transforms into deep understanding.

Create, Reflect, and Bring Home a Piece of Culture

Following the workshop, guests are served matcha in handcrafted Ohi-yaki teabowls, accompanied by seasonal wagashi from the long-standing confectioner Morihachi. This tranquil tea moment, enjoyed in a quiet tatami room, gently concludes the experience and links together the elements of craft, ceramics, sweets, and architecture into a single cultural narrative.

The finished gold leaf piece is coated and ready to be taken home the same day—allowing guests to carry not only a crafted object, but also a tactile memory of the experience.

Designed for Intimacy, Quality, and Consideration

Each session is completely private, accommodating only one group (2–8 participants) at a time. This format minimizes noise and distraction while honoring the architectural integrity of the space and the craftsmanship involved. The program is available in Japanese, English, and Chinese, making it accessible to guests from both Japan and abroad. As an indoor experience, it is unaffected by weather, making it ideal for autumn and winter travel, educational visits, or MICE programs.

• Learning through Architecture: The preserved machiya itself serves as a medium of cultural education, where traditional design elements echo the techniques being taught.
• Experience Authentic Craftsmanship: Guests replicate the same steps used by artisans, from gold decoration using sunago tubes to observing the subtleties of haku-utsushi.
• Reflect with Tea: The experience concludes with matcha and sweets, drawing the senses into quiet reflection and enhancing memory.
• Sustainable and Inclusive: One-group-per-session format and multilingual support ensure a thoughtful and high-quality experience for all guests.

In this rare and meaningful experience—possible only in Kanazawa—guests trace the rhythm of an artisan's hand with their own, and bring the journey to a close through the serenity of tea. Rather than consuming culture, they engage in nurturing it. Kanazawa Biyori will continue to share such stories with care, allowing local traditions to resonate across borders.

Sessions: Twice daily (10:00 / 14:00)

• Duration: 90–120 minutes
• Participants: 2–8 people (private group per session)
• Fee: ¥16,500 per person (tax included, covers materials, matcha, and sweet)
• Venue: 1-13-24 Higashiyama, Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture
  (Kanazawa Shitsurae, in the Higashi Chaya District – not the same location as Hakuichi Main Store)
• Languages Supported: Japanese / English / Chinese
• Reservation: Required at least 7 days in advance (via form or phone)
• Contact: Hakuichi Direct Sales Marketing Dept.
  TEL: 076-240-0891 (Weekdays 9:00–17:00)
• Facilities: 1F – Craft Gallery / 2F – Café "Yanagi-an" (open before or after your experience)

Contact Information
Company Name: Kanazawa Biyori Co., Ltd.
Address:
Sanpia Izumigaoka 511, 255 Fushimishinmachi,
Kanazawa City, Ishikawa 921-8172, Japan
Website:[email protected]
Representative: Tatsunori Kita
Phone: +81-76-255-7663

SOURCE Kanazawa Biyori Co., Ltd.